Following the recent release of the Opel Meriva, the introduction of the Chevrolet Vivant signals Delta’s intention to gain a big slice of the South African MPV market.
Following the recent release of the Opel Meriva, the introduction of the Chevrolet Vivant signals Delta’s intention to gain a big slice of the South African MPV market.
According to a source, Delta’s ideal is for Opel Meriva and Zafira models to account for 20 per cent of new MPV sales in Southern Africa. And with the launch of the Vivant, the Port Elizabeth-based manufacturer wants to consolidate its product range in a sector that continues to show rapid growth.
“We believe that the Vivant will be a fierce competitor in the MPV market sector,” said Adri Roe, general manager of Chevrolet South Africa. “It offers excellent space utilisation and flexible configurations, and is ideal for people who are looking for a vehicle with easy access and enough space to move around in”.
The five-seater Vivant is 4,35 metres long, 1,58 m high and was designed by Italian design studio Pininfarina. The rear compartment of the Vivant is fitted with three individual back seats, each of which can be folded up separately, pushed up against the front seats or taken out completely. All models’ front passenger seat can swivel 180 degrees to face rearwards. With five people on board, the baggage space is 325 litres, but if the rear seats are removed, the capacity of 1 320 litres.
Vivant buyers in South Africa have a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines mated with five-speed manual transmissions. The 1,6-litre LS version produces 77 kW at 6000 r/min, while the two-litre LS and LT engines generates 89 kW at 5600 r/min. The 1,6-litre delivers 142 N.m of torque at 3 400 r/min, and the two-litre derivatives 176 N.m at 4 000 r/min.
Delta claims a top speed of 167 km/h for the 1,6-litre and 180 km/h for the two-litre powerplant. The front suspension features McPherson struts and rear a torsion beam axle. ABS with electronic brake-force distribution is standard on the Vivant two-litre LT.
Safety wise, the Vivant has special deformation zones in both the front and rear ends. A driver’s side airbag, side impact beams, centrally high-mounted brake light, a collapsible steering column, as well as front and rear fog lamps are standard on all models.
Furthermore, the Vivant 1,6 LS base model has air conditioning, fold-up tables in both back rests, electrically operated windows, power steering, radio/ CD-players and a height adjustable driver’s seat.
The Chevrolet Vivant models will retail for R159 800 (1,6 LS), R173 000 (2,0 LS) and R197 900 (2,0 LT) respectively. The vehicles are accompanied by a three-year/100 000 km warranty.
